We want to create a regular podcast to help raise awareness and understanding of mental health conditions in children and young people, in order to offer support and information to our local community. The podcast will feature information, advice and tips on how to recognise and respond to mental health needs. Guests will range from SENDCos, teachers, medical experts, parents, as well as children and young people. This will allow the opportunity for the community to have a voice and be able to share their knowledge and experiences in order to help others. The goal is to increase the prospects of early intervention and to reduce the risks of mental health conditions becoming more serious in later years.

What we'll deliver:

• A regular podcast full of information and advice.
• Interesting and engaging guests including medical specialists, educationalists, parents, children and young people.
• A high quality podcast that will support and encourage others through targeted conversations.

Why it's a great idea:

This project will benefit educationalists and professionals working with children and young people by bringing them ideas, advice and support around how to work effectively with children and young people who may be showing signs of mental health conditions. It will benefit parents by offering up suggestions and clarifying conditions; as well as through the sharing of experiences and stories, enabling them to learn from others. Most of all this project will benefit the children and young people of Barnet who are affected by mental health conditions, either first hand or as a result of being impacted from the behaviours and situations of others in their lives.

Steps to get it done:

• Purchase podcasting equipment
• Purchase podcast platform licence for 1 year
• Plan sequence of podcast themes/subjects
• Engage guest contributors/volunteers from Barnet community and beyond
• Record podcast monthly
• Gain feedback from listeners (incl. subjects they would like to hear about)
• Respond to feedback where appropriate to continue to develop the plan of themes

The main impact will be on improving mental health and wellbeing for children and young people across Barnet. Through the sharing of information, support and advice, symptoms will be recognised and those working with children and young people will be able to respond more accurately and in a more timely way. Through this pattern of recognising and responding to children's mental health conditions, we believe that they will live happier and fuller lives. Their life chances will be greatly improved and they will be more effective members of their community as a result.